Carbon nanotube based sensors for the detection of viruses

Carbon nanotube biosensors were assembled using a layer-by-layer (LBL) technique exploiting the chemical functionalization on nanotubes to tailor their interactions with viruses and antiviral antibodies. Gold electrodes were patterned in the form of resistors onto a Si/SiO₂ substrate, followed by stepwise LBL assembly to change the resistivity of the channel. Polyelectrolyte multilayer films were prepared by the sequential electrostatic adsorption of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride), poly(styrene sulfonate), and functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes. Viral antibodies were successfully immobilized between the electrodes and the binding of antibodies to the surface was enhanced by coating with poly(l-lysine). An antigen specific to the immobilized antibody was captured on these devices. The coupled antibody-antigen complex changed the conductance of the device and this change was related to the antigen concentration. The two factors affecting the performance of the device were the number of layers and the channel length between the electrodes. We were able to detect conductance change for a viral antigen with a titer of 10² TCID₅₀/ml (50% tissue culture infective dose).